Boise State gymnast Jacobsen sets the bars high heading into regionals

Krystine Jacobsen did not get where she is today eating buttered spaghetti noodles with ketchup.

Still, she earned the nickname of “Honey Boo Boo” her freshman year at Boise State, short and blonde with a little spunk like the reality TV star, quick with a quip.

“I guess it was because I was just constantly being silly and goofy that it probably got to a point where it was too much,” Jacobsen said. “... It’s slowly gone away. I’d like to think I’ve matured, at least a little bit, the last four years.”

Once the recipient of ribbing from her coaches, Jacobsen earned the title of captain as a senior, along with a little more confidence to turn the tables.

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“She’s super fun to be around. ... When she came in, I used to tease her all the time. Now I have to stay away from her,” Boise State co-coach Neil Resnick said. “I’m no match at this point.”

Jacobsen is almost unmatched on the uneven bars for No. 15 Boise State.

As Jacobsen has grown out of being a cherubic imp, she’s turned into a demon on the uneven bars for No. 15 Boise State.

Last week, Jacobsen was named a first-team All-American, just the third Bronco to earn that status on the bars. She is currently tied for first in the country in the event with a Regional Qualifying Score of 9.950, making her the first Boise State gymnast to end the regular season ranked first in any event in school history. She’s posted a school record 9.975 three different times this season.

“It’s so exciting, kind of humbling, overwhelming to go out the best way possible on my favorite event,” Jacobsen said.

As a junior, Jacobsen went 9.90 or better three times. Resnick knew it could be even better.

“We talked about how we’ve got to come into practice and have expectations, right from the get-go, to be demanding in practice, so when we’re in the meets it’s not that hard,” Resnick said. That’s what’s made her successful this year so far. Mechanically, she’s excellent. When you do that, your routine stands up to pressure.”

Jacobsen can qualify for nationals with a win in the uneven bars Saturday at regionals in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Even better would be to do it as part of a national-qualifying team, which would happen if the Broncos are in the top two.

“We’ve worked so hard, reached every little goal we’ve had along the way, so I can’t wait for the next step,” Jacobsen said. “This is my forever family, so to be in a position like this with them is amazing.”

A top-two finish would clinch the first nationals berth for a Boise State gymnastics team in school history. Their top competition is No. 4 Alabama and No. 10 Cal. With third-place finishes in 2009, ’11 and ’12 still motivating Resnick, he hopes the undefeated Broncos can finally get over the hump.

“It’s huge, it’s what our season’s been about. Everything we’ve done up to this point was to prepare us for what we’re about to do,” Resnick said. “We know what’s on the line and what it’s going to take.”